1 Kings 9 11

1 Kings 9:11 kjv

(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

1 Kings 9:11 nkjv

(Hiram the king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress and gold, as much as he desired), that King Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

1 Kings 9:11 niv

King Solomon gave twenty towns in Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, because Hiram had supplied him with all the cedar and juniper and gold he wanted.

1 Kings 9:11 esv

and Hiram king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress timber and gold, as much as he desired, King Solomon gave to Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

1 Kings 9:11 nlt

he gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to King Hiram of Tyre. (Hiram had previously provided all the cedar and cypress timber and gold that Solomon had requested.)

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 11 Meaning

This verse details a significant transaction between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre. As a reciprocal gesture for Hiram's extensive provision of materials for the Temple and Solomon's palace, Solomon transferred twenty cities located in the region of Galilee to Hiram. This act reflects the immense scale of Solomon's building projects, his diplomatic relationships, and his great wealth, while also raising questions regarding the giving of Israelite tribal land to a foreign king.

1 Kings 9 11 Context

First Kings chapter 9 begins with God's renewed covenant with Solomon, following the completion of the magnificent Temple and Solomon's personal palace, which together took twenty years to build. God warns Solomon of the consequences of disobedience, specifically regarding the destruction of the Temple and the expulsion of Israel from the land if they forsake His statutes. Verse 11 then shifts to Solomon's interaction with King Hiram of Tyre, a key ally during the construction period. Hiram had supplied immense quantities of prime cedar and cypress timber from Lebanon, along with gold, as stipulated in their initial agreement (1 Kgs 5). The twenty cities given to Hiram were presumably the agreed-upon payment or a gesture of immense gratitude and ongoing alliance. Historically and culturally, such alliances were common, often cemented through royal marriages or significant exchanges of goods or territory. For the original Israelite audience, the act of giving away tribal land would have carried theological weight, as the land was divinely given and held in perpetuity for Israel (Lev 25:23).

1 Kings 9 11 Word analysis

• Now King Solomon: This identifies the primary actor, emphasizing his royal authority and central role in the nation. It highlights a specific point in Solomon's reign, after his grand building projects.
• had given: The Hebrew verb is natan (נָתַן), meaning "to give," "to place," "to pay," or "to grant." Here, it functions as a form of payment or a large compensatory gift for services rendered, implying a transaction rather than just a unilateral gift. The perfect tense indicates a completed action.
• Hiram: Refers to חִירָם (Chiram), King of Tyre, a major Phoenician city-state. Hiram was a crucial partner in Solomon's building endeavors, providing not only materials but also skilled labor (1 Kgs 5:6-10). Their relationship represents a peak of international diplomacy for Israel.
• twenty cities: This specific number indicates a substantial transfer of territory. The Hebrew for "cities" is עָרִים (`arim`). This implies not just a few small settlements but a significant portion of land with established communities.
• in the land of Galilee: The Hebrew is הַגָּלִיל (ha-Galil), meaning "the circle" or "the district." This region was located in northern Israel, particularly in the tribal territories of Naphtali and Asher (Josh 19). The area, even in biblical times, was characterized by a mixed population, including gentiles (Isa 9:1). Gifting these lands implies Solomon's authority over the specific region, but raises theological concerns given the Mosaic Law's injunctions against the permanent sale of land belonging to Israelite tribes (Lev 25:23).
• because Hiram had supplied Solomon: The reason for the payment, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of their alliance and the massive scope of Hiram's contribution. It demonstrates that the cities were given in exchange for previous provisions.
• with timber of cedar and timber of cypress: These were premium building materials, especially valuable as they were imported from Lebanon (cedar: אֶרֶז, `erez`; cypress: בְּרוֹשׁ, `berosh`). Cedar was known for its durability and fragrance, used prominently in the Temple and palace construction. Cypress was also a strong and valuable timber.
• and with gold: Gold (זָהָב, `zahav`) signifies immense wealth and luxury. Its inclusion alongside the timbers underscores the high value of Hiram's total contribution, extending beyond just building materials to pure precious metal.
• according to all his desire: This phrase, literally "all his pleasure/will" (כָּל־חֶפְצוֹ, kal-chephtzo), conveys that Hiram abundantly met every request Solomon made. It highlights Solomon's seemingly limitless demands and Hiram's generous fulfillment, reinforcing the king's extensive power and influence. It sets the stage for the narrative immediately following in 1 Kgs 9:12, where Hiram's expectations were potentially higher or the land was not up to his standard.

1 Kings 9 11 Bonus section

The region of Galilee, given to Hiram, holds prophetic significance as "Galilee of the nations" (Isa 9:1). Centuries later, it would become central to Jesus's ministry (Mk 1:14), turning the potentially compromised region into a significant spiritual hub. The gifting of Israelite land to a foreign power also echoes a recurrent theme in Israel's history—the tension between worldly alliances and covenant faithfulness. While Solomon was wise and wealthy, this act can be seen as a foreshadowing of future deviations from God's commands, ultimately leading to division and exile. The subsequent description of Hiram's dissatisfaction with the cities (1 Kgs 9:12-14) suggests that the exchange was not without its complications, hinting at potential underlying issues in the grandeur of Solomon's kingdom.

1 Kings 9 11 Commentary

1 Kings 9:11 serves as a bridge in Solomon's narrative, transitioning from the completion of his monumental building projects and God's renewed covenant with him, to the pragmatic realities of his foreign relations and finances. The exchange with Hiram underscores the commercial prosperity of Solomon's reign and the extensive international network he cultivated to facilitate his grand endeavors. By giving "twenty cities in the land of Galilee," Solomon compensated Hiram not merely with gold, but with territory. This action raises important theological and covenantal questions, as Israelite tribal land, divinely apportioned, was theoretically inalienable (Lev 25:23, Num 36:7). While the exact status or Israelite population of these specific cities in Galilee at the time of transfer is not explicitly detailed, their inclusion in Israel's divinely promised territory is notable. The verse establishes the material basis for Solomon's projects and points to his wealth and diplomatic power, setting the stage for the following verses that describe Hiram's assessment of these cities, which were later named "Kabûl."